Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, faced a tough challenge from Republican millionaire John Jacob in the 3rd Congressional District GOP June primary. Cannon won (Jacob spending $530,000) and coasted into an easy win over Democrat Christian Burridge in November. Burridge spent only $7,000. For his whole race, Cannon spent $1.16 million, a record re-election total for him.

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, had the easiest time of it financially. He spent just under $250,000 in a clear victory over Democrat Steve Olsen, who spent $60,100.

(The Ashdown and Burridge totals are taken from the pre-general election reports — their post-general election reports having not shown up on the FEC Web site Friday.)

For most of the defeated candidates, this year will mark the end of their political aspirations.

But for others — especially the millionaires — new political opportunities could mean new campaigns.

Christensen — who voted this past week in a legislative special session for a new four-seat U.S. House plan for Utah — says he may well run in the newly drawn 4th Congressional District should Congress award the state an extra seat.

And Jacob said after losing to Cannon in the June GOP primary that he, too, may run for office again.

To satisfy FEC reporting rules, both Jacob and Christensen will have to keep their campaign accounts open, showing their half-million-dollar loans until either they formally forgive the loans or raise outside money to pay off the debts to themselves.

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